Dehradun: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar today underlined the need to strike a balance between environment conservation and development, saying both are equally important for the survival of humanity.

Addressing the annual convocation of IFS probationers at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Javadekar said, "Environment conservation and development must go hand-in-hand for the overall development of humanity."

The key is to develop sustainable utilisation of natural resources with a strong commitment to eradicate poverty and hunger globally, and this can be achieved most effectively by putting common people at the centre of the development process, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change cited.

Observing that the strong foundation of local self governance in the form of panchayats and gram sabhas uphold people's representation in the governance process, the Union Minister called on the young officers to work in close coordination with these decentralised institutions. He also advised them to become facilitators in converting the threats to forests into opportunities by eradicating poverty.

As young professionals, the officers should keep in mind that decisions to be taken by them shall have far reaching long term consequences on ecological foundations of nation. Javadekar also advised the foresters community to address climate change impacts which is emerging as a global concern.